Novara Randonee

Price Paid:  $780.00 at REI mail order *sale

Bike Setup:
Stock so far except for stem change.

Summary:
The Randonee is a well thought out Touring bike that would also serve well for commuting. The paint is very easily scratched and the color choice is an ugly brown (2008 model). The stem is way too long for a touring bike and the frame size (120mm on a 54 cm frame, and I ride more stretched out and lower than most tourists.

Strengths:
Basic, no nonsence components, wide gear range, excellent tires and a very sturdy rack (actually a bit overbuilt).

Weaknesses:
The paint is very easily scratched and the color choice is an ugly brown (2008 model). I found the stem to be too long for a touring bike and the frame size (120mm on a 54 cm frame) and I ride more stretched out and lower than most tourists.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 520 (2005 purchased used and resold due to poor gearing range.

Price Paid:  $800.00 at REI

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
North Tier

Bike Setup:
Inertia Designs rear panniers. Topeak XL waterbottle holder for Nalgele 48 oz Silo bottle. If you mount water bottle cages on the brazeons on the fork you can put rice and other heavy food in them, eliminating the need for front panniers.

Summary:
A great bike. I love it. I would buy another one.

Strengths:
The frame is very solid and the compontens are good. The rack is high quality also. Inertia Designs panniers are the best.

Weaknesses:
The paint is awful. It comes right off.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized alley, but that is a road bike.

Price Paid:  $900.00 at REI

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Orange County

Bike Setup:
Tubus front and rear racks.
Ortlieb Panniers and Handlebar Bag
Nitto Noodle Handlebars
Platform Pedals with Clips and Straps

Summary:
The Randonee is an excellent value for the dollar. Well designed with an exceptionally smooth ride. The wheels have held up great and the gearing is fine.

Strengths:
Steel
Designed as a touring bike.

Weaknesses:
Toe overlap and lower water bottle cage mount.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale ST 1000

Price Paid:  $760.00 at REI

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
anything as long as there's a tailwind

Bike Setup:
Stock except for:
Brooks B-17 saddle
Continental ultra gatorskin 700x28 tires
Planet Bike fenders
Cane Creek in-line brake levers
Speedplay Frog pedals

Summary:
This review is for the 2007 Randonee. I do not use the bike for touring, I bought my Randonee to primarily use for commuting, weekend rides, and occassionally for towing my kid's bike trailer. I have had the bike six months now and have put about 1000 miles on it.

I used my spring 20% off coupon to buy the bike, at that price it is a very good value compared to equivalent bikes (Fuji Touring, Jamis Auroa, Bianchi Volpe). I test rode a Trek 520 and did not think it was worth the extra money versus the Randonee at 20% off retail. REI seems to put decent quality parts on their bikes in places many buyers don't think about, like headsets and bottom brackets (for example my Randonee came with a $60 FSA Orbit X headset).

I have not experienced any spoke problems with the rear wheel as mentioned in reviews of the 2001 Randonee. The stock wheels are 36h Tiagra hubs with Mavic A319 touring rims and straight gauge SS spokes painted black, those wheels are sturdy but heavy, and have stayed true.

The bike is a bit heavy, I have a 59cm frame and it weighs around 28-29lbs including the stock rack but without any other accessories. In full commuter mode with fenders, lights, and rack trunk, my bike weighs about 35lbs.

The Tiagra/Deore drivetrain shifts reliably but seems a little noisy at times. The Tiagra brifters have clear plastic windows with orange markers to indicate what gear you are in. At first I thought the gear indicators were pretty cheesy, but I'm really starting to appreciate them.

Overall I have been quite pleased with my Randonee. It has been a very reliable commuter and is still fun to ride on the weekends.

Strengths:
Great value if you get it on sale
Shimano canti brakes have very good stopping power
Lots of braze-ons for fenders and racks
3 water bottle mounts
Comes with beefy rear rack

Weaknesses:
Coffee brown color is boring
Stock saddle sucks
Heavy (but what else do you expect from a steel touring bike?)
Doesn't come with a kickstand

Similar Products Used:
91 Raleigh Olympian
Test rode a Trek 520